Russia announces Bashar al-Assad has left Syria as rebels enter Damascus

Russia announced that Bashar al-Assad has left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups, marking a significant shift in the ongoing civil war. This follows opposition forces entering Damascus and celebrating the end of Assad's 13-year regime. In the wake of Assad's departure, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali was escorted to a hotel by armed men, expressing a desire to maintain state functions. Meanwhile, rebels stormed the Iranian embassy in Damascus, reflecting the chaos following Assad's fall. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, claiming the 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria has collapsed. Syrians celebrated in various cities, with some exploring Assad's abandoned palaces.